Can fibroids cause miscarriages? While there is no consensus among experts, the evidence does suggest that fibroids can cause women to experience pregnancy loss, in fact sometimes multiple losses (called recurrent pregnancy loss or RPL). The reasons are not entirely clear, but most believe fibroids can cause this negative effect by several means.
First, fibroids can distort the shape of the uterus or otherwise obstruct the proper growth of a pregnancy simply as a result of their physical presence. Second, the blood supply of the pregnancy can be diverted to a growing fibroid. In all of these cases, pregnancies can end with a miscarriage. The benefits of surgically removing fibroids seem to reflect these hypotheses. For example, the medical literature shows that pregnancy rates have been reported as high as 60% after myomectomy, regardless of which type of myomectomy is performed.
If you’ve been experiencing recurrent miscarriages or are otherwise experiencing fertility issues, it’s worth it to seek out medical care as soon as possible. Speak with the expert of fibroid removal surgery using the minimally invasive techniques. Call today to make an appointment with Dr. Azer.
Most pregnant individuals with fibroids do not have any complications during pregnancy related to the fibroids. When complications occur, painful degeneration is the most common complication. There also appears to be increased risk of complications such as early pregnancy loss as mentioned, preterm labor and birth, fetal malpresentation, and placental abruption ( premature separation of the placenta before delivery of the baby).
OTHER COMPLICATIONS OF FIBROIDS DURING PREGNANCY
The following list pregnancy complications that might occur during pregnancy:
Degeneration and torsion — As discussed above, pain is one of the most common symptoms of fibroids in pregnant individuals and is typically due to fibroid degeneration or, rarely, torsion. Rapid growth of fibroids can result in a relative decrease in blood supply, leading to death of some of the fibroid tissue (red degeneration) and release of chemicals (prostaglandins) Pedunculated fibroids are at risk of torsion and necrosis, but this is much less common than degeneration.
Preterm labor and birth — There appears to be an increase in the baseline risk of preterm labor and preterm birth in pregnancies with uterine fibroids. This is directly related to the number and size of fibroids.
Placental abruption (premature separation of the placenta before delivery of the baby) — this is an obstetrical emergency that might result in loss of the baby.
Malpresentation( the baby is not in the correct position to allow vaginal delivery)
Placenta previa — The placenta is covering your internal cervical opening that will need cesarean delivery and sometimes emergency hysterectomy.
Cesarean birth — Studies have consistently reported that uterine fibroids are associated with an increased risk of cesarean birth
Postpartum hemorrhage — Several studies have reported an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage in pregnancies complicated by fibroids
Fetal deformities — Spatial restrictions from uterine fibroids can cause fetal deformations, but this is extremely rare.
Speak with Dr. Azer for further information.
